Night after night the land
delivers its verdict. Blades
of grass struggle through earth,
hearts & lungs develop in their sacs.
Beetles mingle with dust & buds
of flowers unfasten for the last time.
The man convicted as a child

will perish. The future
accumulates its matter beneath
the surface of life going
about its business. The mind
dissembles & covers itself with sleep.
From a distance we measure
The moon, but might not
recognize our own children.
A woman calls across a continent
& no one answers.

To learn more about Yona Harvey, visit her website by clicking here or her page on the Poetry Foundation’s website by clicking here.